“Le Samourai,” May 15, 2024 (1967), French/subtitled, Remastered, The Lexington Venue theater, 12:15 p.m. showing. This beautifully remastered neo-noir classic written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville should be seen in a quiet, dark theater Jef Costello (Alain Delon) is an accomplished hit man. He is ice-cold. His armor is a Boggie-like trench coat and fedora. He kills because he’s paid to kill. He is incredibly capable but also committed to a code. And heaven help someone who violates that code of mutual trust. His is a criminal Paris where cool jazz and cold killers coexist. The police are bound by few rules. His canary tells tales. Perhaps a better title would be “The Ronin.” He is, after all, a samourai without a master.
After being observed following a hit, his life becomes more and more complicated as the police and his contract employer, perhaps the mob, both seek to hunt him down.